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Our take on the Cambridge Audio Azur 851N
by Crutchfield's Steve Kindig

Every Cambridge Audio component we've heard has impressed us, and that goes double for their high-performance Azur series. The versatile 851N gives today's audiophiles easy access to their favorite digital music sources. It handles the most popular digital file formats and gives them all a sonic upgrade, from lossy sources like MP3s and Spotify®, to your CD collection, to high-res music files downloaded from HDtracks. Add an optional BT-100 Bluetooth® dongle, and stream music from any compatible smartphone or tablet.

Let your digital music take flight

Every Cambridge Audio component we've heard has impressed us, and that goes double for their high-performance Azur series. The versatile 851N gives today's audiophiles easy access to their favorite digital music sources. It handles the most popular digital file formats and gives them all a sonic upgrade, from lossy sources like MP3s and Spotify®, to your CD collection, to high-res music files downloaded from HDtracks. Add an optional BT-100 Bluetooth® dongle, and stream music from any compatible smartphone or tablet.

Think of the 851N as three components in one. First, it's a digital preamp with an assortment of connections for handling your digital gear. Plus, it's a network player ready to stream your favorite audio sources using either a wired Ethernet or Wi-Fi® connection. And, of course, it's a high-performance DAC with state-of-the-art audio processing to improve the listening experience for all digital formats. While CD-quality or better sources will sound startlingly real, it's a real eye-opener to hear how good a 320kbps Spotify® stream can sound (premium subscription required).

Advanced upsampling and DACs for clean, clear sound from every source

Cambridge's sophisticated Adapted Time Filter 2 technology upsamples all incoming digital audio to a 24-bit/384kHz signal to resolve extremely fine detail. That happens for all incoming audio data — whether it's from an Internet radio stream, a lossless FLAC file on a USB flash drive, or a connected component like a CD transport. This system performs interpolation and data buffering, and re-clocks the audio signal to almost completely eliminate "jitter" — timing errors in the music signal that can add harshness, compromise clarity and cause instruments and voices to sound less distinct. The upsampled audio signal is then fed through twin Analog Devices 24-bit DACs, for clean, detailed, noise-free sound and outstanding stereo imaging with every source.

The 851N also includes some cool adjustments that will appeal to hands-on audiophiles. A choice of digital filter settings lets you tweak and fine-tune the DAC's sound to match your system and room. A phase inversion switch lets you correct for out-of-phase recordings or amplifiers that invert phase. And an incoming sample rate indicator verifies the original source quality. Underlying all this sophisticated circuitry is a fully shielded toroidal transformer anchored to an acoustically damped, all-metal chassis for gobs of steady, quiet current and a vanishingly low noise floor.

All the right connections for your digital audio gear

The Azur 851N offers an assortment of inputs for all your digital sound sources, plus built-in Wi-Fi for music streaming and downloads. Connect to your amplifier using the RCA or balanced XLR audio outputs.

The 851N offers plenty of connections, so you can use its outstanding audio processing and D-to-A conversion to enjoy incredible sound from all your digital audio sources. You get two digital inputs with your choice of optical or coaxial connections. Coaxial connections work with many CD/DVD players, and they're ideal for a Sonos® Connect player. The optical inputs are there for your HDTV, Apple TV®, or game console. Along with these common inputs there's a balanced digital XLR input that provides an ultra-low-noise connection when used with a compatible high-end CD transport.

A free app lets you use your tablet or smartphone to select digital music files or switch audio inputs.

Use your Apple® or Android™ device as the controller

While the 851N includes a backlit remote control, and features a large, easy-to-grab control knob on the front for navigating through your music options, you'll have more fun if you get your smartphone or tablet into the act. Cambridge offers a free control app for your favorite Apple or Android device, which integrates all your music choices into a single simple interface. From the music stored on your home network devices, to thousands of Internet radio stations, to streaming services like Spotify®, this app puts everything at your fingertips.

Product Research

Variety of Sources

Wired or Wireless Network Connectivity: The Cambridge Audio
azur 851N network audio player offers a wired (Ethernet) or wireless (WiFi
dongle)
connection to your home network for access to Internet Radio, select online
music services, AirPlay, and music libraries stored on your computer.

Ethernet (LAN) Jack: The azur 851N network music player is
fitted with an Ethernet (R-J45) port to connect directly to your home's
network hub. Only connect the LAN port of the player to an Ethernet port
that supports 10BASE-T or 100BASE-TX.

WiFi Dongle/Antenna: The 851N network audio player
includes a USB-WiFi dongle/WLAN aerial antenna which plugs into the player's
rear-panel USB port. This USB-WiFi dongle/antenna wirelessly connects the
player to your home network. The 851N supports 802.11 b/g/n (in 2.4GHz
only) with WEP, WPA, WPA2 encryption. The unit has a wireless range of
30-98'.

Note: It is not recommended to use a WiFi connection for
music files above 16 bits, 44.1/48kHz (if lossless/uncompressed).

Tidal (future firmware update): TIDAL will be available via
a future firmware update scheduled of early 2018. TIDAL is a global
streaming service that offers over 30 million songs in high-fidelity CD
sound quality. TIDAL has two pricing tiers; either $9.99 or $19.99 a month.
Both pricing levels allow you to access TIDAL's entire music library. The
$19.99 tier has the added benefit of high-fidelity sound at CD-level
quality.

AirPlay Compatible: The Cambridge Audio 851N network audio player
is compatible with Apple's AirPlay technology. With AirPlay, the 851N can
connect wirelessly to any AirPlay-enabled Apple device. This allows you to
stream music wirelessly from your iPod touch, iPhone, iPad, or your computer's
(Mac or PC) iTunes library; via your WiFi network.

iTunes Streaming: The 851N network audio player is
able to stream audio from your computer's iTunes account via AirPlay
technology. When connected to the same network as a computer running iTunes,
the 851N can appear as an output option in the pop-up menu at the bottom
of the iTunes window. You can then browse your iTunes collection on your
computer & stream music to the Cambridge Audio network audio player. You will need a
Mac or Windows-based PC running iTunes (10.2.2 or later) connected to the same
network as the 851N.

Apple Device Streaming: AirPlay also lets you
wirelessly stream music and music apps stored on your iPod touch, iPhone, or
iPad to the Cambridge Audio 851N. You will need an iPod touch, iPhone, or iPad
(running iOS 4.3.3 or later) connected to the same network as the 851N.

Apple Remote App: Using the
Apple Remote App (free download from iTunes) on your iPod touch, iPhone,
or iPad and your wireless home network, you don't even need to be in the
same room as the components or your computer to play, pause, skip, and stop
the songs in your iTunes music library. You will even see the iTunes music
information, including your track titles & artist info on your Apple device.
You will need an iPod touch, iPhone, or iPad (running iOS 7.0 or later)
connected to the same wireless network as the 851N.

UPnP Compatible: The Cambridge Audio 851N network audio
player is a UPnP (Universal Plug and Play) AV Client. Being a UPnP Client means
the it can connect to UPnP AV servers on a network and browse and playback their
music content. A connection to the internet is not strictly needed for this. The
azur 851N just needs to be able to connect to the server to access its content.
Most operating systems and/or music playback software now feature UPnP server
facilities built-in. This allow you to share the music on the computer's
hard-drive with Clients, such as the 851N. Your music library can include
digital music located anywhere on your home network such as shared folders on
your own computer (Windows or Mac), shared folders on another computer on your
network, or music stored on a Network-Attached Storage (NAS) device on your
network. Using UPnP, the 851N network player can connect to these devices and
play back, or 'stream' non-DRM music files via the network to your home
entertainment system. UPnP connection supports up to 24-bit/192kHz and Gapless
playback.

Note: Not all servers support serving of all audio
formats. Always make sure the server you choose also supports your formats
of choice. For example, Windows Media Server does not currently serve FLAC
format.

Triple USB (Type-A) Ports: The Cambridge Audio 851N
features three USB (type-A) inputs for music playback from a USB flash
memory device or portable hard drive (up to 24-bit/192kHz). One USB port is
on the front-panel, while the other two are on the rear-panel. Your USB
device must be formatted in FAT32 or NTFS format with non-DRM music files. The 851N
cannot supply greater than 500mA from the USB socket, itself. Good practice
is to create folders for Artists within which you should have sub folders
for each Album which then contain the tracks for that Album. Libraries with
thousands of tracks in one folder will progressively slow down the unit's media browsing.

Asynchronous USB (Type-B) Input: A rear-panel
asynchronous USB
(type-B) port enables the azur 851N to be connected to your Windows PC or
Mac computer for playback of music files up to 24-bit/192kHz. The 851N will act as a very high-quality DAC/sound-card with
very low jitter for your computer, offering genuine Hi-Fi-quality
playback from your stored music and Internet radio. The 851N is both USB 2.0
(Hi-Speed) and USB 1.1 (Full-speed) USB port compatible. It will also work
with the new USB 3.0 ports where the PC will simply treat the 851N as if it
were a USB 2.0 or 1.1 device.

PC Compatible: With the azur 851N switched to USB
Audio 1.0 (this is the default setting), the 851N will work with the
native Windows XP, Vista or 7 Audio 1.0 driver (no need to load any new
driver) and accept audio up to 24-bit/96kHz. With the azur 851N switched
to USB Audio 2.0, the 851N needs the Cambridge Audio USB Audio 2.0
Driver to be loaded and can then accept up to 24-bit/192kHz (and support
ASIO and WASAPI Exclusive, if required).

Mac Compatible: No extra drivers are required to
connect your Mac computer. With the azur 851N switched to USB Audio
1.1, the 851N will work with the native Mac OS-X 10.5 (Leopard) or
above Audio 1.0 driver and accept audio up to 24/96kHz. With the azur
851N switched to USB Audio 2.0, the 851N works with the native Mac OS-X
10.5 (Leopard) or above Audio 2.0 driver and can accept audio up to
24/192kHz.

Note: The azur 851N does notsupport WMA pro, WMA
lossless, RAW, AU, or other music file types not mentioned.

DSD Audio: The 851N will only support DSD x64 (AKA DSD64 or
64FS) via DoP (DSD over PCM). However this is only possible via USB connection
to a computer, using Class 2 USB Audio mode.

Digital Inputs: The Cambridge Audio 851N's two optical
(toslink) digital inputs and two coaxial (RCA) digital inputs allow it to act as
a high quality upsampling Digital-to-Analog Converter (DAC) to improve the sound
from other devices, such as set top boxes, games consoles, or disc players. The
optical and coaxial digital connections support up to 24-bit/192kHz, 2ch PCM
audio.

Optional Bluetooth Adapter: Simply plug in the Cambridge
Audio BT100 Bluetooth Audio Receiver (779BT100,
sold separately) into the network audio player's rear-panel USB (type-A) port
for wireless music streaming from many of today's most popular Bluetooth
supporting devices; such as Apple iPod/iPhone/iPad, Android smartphone/tablet,
Windows Phone/PC, Mac computer/laptop, and more. The BT100 even supports the
high-quality Bluetooth aptX CODEC, so you can stream audiophile quality music
from your Bluetooth-enabled Android (OS 4.0+) device to the Cambridge Azur 851N.

Dual Differential Virtual Earth Balanced Filter Topology:
The 851Nuses Cambridge Audio's proprietary Dual
Differential Virtual Earth Balanced filter topology, configured as a
low-order two-pole liner-phase Bessel filter, in order to take advantage of
the achieved high-sampling rate. As a result your music will have extreme
linearity with greater dynamic range.

Bit-Perfect Signal Path w/ Jitter Suppression: Music
stored on computers and other hard drives inherently suffers from jitter, so
the 851Nimplements a host of enhancements such as bit-perfect
signal path and jitter suppression to vastly improve the quality of digital
music playback. Total correlated jitter is less than 200ps.

All-Metal Chassis & Toroidal Transformer: The 851N network
audio player has an all-metal construction to ensure all components are
completely isolated for the very best possible performance. The 851N also uses a
large toroidal transformer to deliver perfect, low distortion power for all your
music.

Digital Pre-Amplifier: By using a digital pre-amplifier, the audio
signal remains in the digital domain for much longer, compared to a traditional
analog integrated or pre-amplifier. Because the audio signal remains digital,
and is only converted to analog at the very last minute, it is far less
susceptible to analog signal deterioration. This means that the sound you hear
is as close as possible to the original recording.

DSP Controlled Volume: The 851N's digital pre-amplifier uses a
powerful 32-bit Blackfin DSP (Digital Signal Processor). Most digital
preamplifiers use "bit reduction" to adjust the level of the volume output,
however this results in much lower sound quality because digital information is
being cut out of the original audio signal. Instead, the 851N's digital
pre-amplifier uses the Blackfin DSP to control the level of the volume output,
meaning that the entire digital signal remains fully intact for the best
possible sound.

Balanced & Unbalanced Outputs: The Cambridge Audio 851N features both balanced (XLR) and unbalanced (RCA) audio outputs to
connect to a wide variety of home stereo receivers and amplifiers. The 851N features true balanced XLR analog audio outputs to connect high-end
home receivers and amplifiers. XLR is a higher-quality output that can reject
noise and interference with equipment with balanced inputs. The 851N also features an unbalanced stereo analog RCA audio output for connecting
your stereo receiver or amplifier. The unbalanced and balanced outputs are simultaneously
active.

Digital Outputs: The 851N features three rear-panel digital
outputs; there is an optical (toslink) digital output, coaxial
(RCA) digital output, and XLR (AES/EBU) digital output. These digital outputs allow pass-through of the selected digital source (no up-sampling performed). These outputs loop or
pass-through unprocessed digital audio from the selected digital input. All
three digital outputs are always active and can be used to connect and run
equipment at the same time.

Ground/Lift Switch: When Grounded, the 851N is
connected to the earth connection of the PC directly. When Lifted the ground
connection is made via a network designed to break any hum loops that may be
caused by the source equipment. The Grounded setting is recommended, unless
audible hum is experienced.

Remote Control

IR Remote: The Cambridge Audio 851N includes a slim-line IR
remote control for wireless operation of the network audio player. The IR remote
also operates other Cambridge Audio devices, like Azur series integrated amps
and AV receivers.

Cambridge Connect App: The free Cambridge Connect App for
Apple iOS (7.1+) and
Android (OS 4.0+) gives you full control of the 851N network audio player;
including power on/off, source selection, and volume up/down. The Cambridge
Connect App also gives you access and control over UPnP servers and NAS drives
connected to the same WiFi network, Internet Radio from across the world, select
online music services, USB media device plugged into the player, music stored on
your Apple iOS or Android device, and Bluetooth audio (requires BT100 adapter).
The free app also features a high-resolution display for album art and track
information.

Remote Connections: The Cambridge Audio 851N is fitted with
the following custom remote connections.

RS232C Port: The RS-232C port is to be used in
conjunction with an external controller to control the operation of the unit
by using an external device.

IR Emitter In (3.5mm): 3.5mm minijack input that
enables modulated IR commands from multiroom or IR repeater systems to be
received by the 851N.

Control Bus In/Out (RCA): The Control Bus RCA input
enables un-modulated commands from multiroom systems or other components to
be received by the 851N. The Control Bus RCA output provides
control bus output commands for further downstream units. This can be useful
if using the iPhone app to control the volume on a Cambridge Audio
amplifier.

Our Product Research Team

At Crutchfield, you'll get detailed, accurate information that's hard to find elsewhere. That's because we have our own in-house Product Research team. They verify what’s in the box, check the owner's manual, and record dimensions, features and specs. We stay on top of new products and technologies to help people make informed choices.

i have a prior version of the same player in another location. Spotify connect works well, although the iOS app has been spotty. Nice DAC and pretty easy access to a music library I put on a HD and made available locally.
[ Andrew Dec 14, 2015 ]

not sure why you don't want to use ble tooth.
If you have been able to connect your Apple device via usb, you should be able to set parameters to route audio to your network.
Apple share is also a possible avenue. You can share music with several devices. That may be an alternative.
[ ROBERT Oct 21, 2017 ]

You could output Tiidal from a PC or MAC or phone into the 851N. Cambridge has a downloadable utility to help PC's output better audio (ASIO) which is standard on MAC. Phone will play over Bluetooth if you order the Optional Bluetooth.
Tidal is not a built in feature the way Spotify is built in. Also, for Spotify you need to be a premium member.
[ Lee Sep 07, 2017 ]

Tidal is not even mentioned in any of the user manuals. I don't have a Tidal subscription so I can't even test it. I tried looking for an answer in the Cambridge Audio website to no avail. Maybe you can ask Cambridge Audio support directly?
[ Antonio Sep 07, 2017 ]

The Cambridge Audio 851N includes a slim-line IR remote control for wireless operation of the network audio player. The free Cambridge Connect App for Apple iOS (7.1+) and Android (OS 4.0+) also gives you full control of the 851N network audio player; including power on/off, source selection, and volume up/down from your Apple or Android device. I hope that helps! My Bio: http://www.crutchfield.com/Support/Bio.aspx?bio=159[ Larry Aug 23, 2016 ] Staff

No it doesn't. In the digital pre-amp mode, you can only adjust volume and balance. It does have audio filters, but I've never used them since I don't use the 851N as a pre-amp
[ Mark Jul 23, 2016 ]

There are none. Only volume controls and only if you are using it as a digital preamplifier. If you are using it as a streamer, volume, bass and treble are controlled by your amplifier. I have no regrets purchasing this component!
[ Antonio Jul 23, 2016 ]

Hi Victor
You must the use your amp controls to modify the sound output
However some players on your computer or ipad devices may also allow to modify the sound input to your 851N
[ Alexander Jul 23, 2016 ]

There are no bass and treble controls. Those are on the power amp.
[ Michael Jul 23, 2016 ]

HI, no you can't. But you can easily hook it up to an outside recorder, and it works well. It's a beautiful unit. There's probably 50-60,000 radio stations from all over the world in any genre you can imagine and even a few you probably can't. The sound is excellent. However, its all live and you can't listen to things that may still be available after it has been aired. There are occasional podcasts you can listen to but it may not be on the programs you want. The stations are fixed and fine-tuned. If you're into quality it is a very good unit and I definitely would recommend it. hjh
[ HENRIK Sep 29, 2015 ]

No, this is strictly a streaming device. Files may be stored on your computer or NAS or you can use a streaming service such as Spotify
[ ANEET Sep 29, 2015 ]

No dedicated subwoofer out. It does have two pairs of outputs though. One pair is single ended (RCA), the other balanced (XLR). Both are simultaneously active. You can have one go to your pre or amp, the other to your sub. If neither your amp or sub have XLR connections, you can use adapter cables or even a splitter for the RCA outputs.
While this gives you an output to subs, the signal will be full range, ie, no bass management. But most subs let you control low pass, gain, at its own amp.
[ Peter Dec 11, 2015 ]

I forwarded your question to an Advisor and they responded with the following:
There isn't a subwoofer output on this preamplifier.
If you would like to discuss further you can contact an Advisor directly by phone (1-800-324-9695) or online chat.
[ Krissy Jul 09, 2015 ] Staff

The 851N is capable of displaying the CD picture/cover art only if the CD sends the metadata. Cambridge Audio has details about this in their tech support sectiion.
[ Lee Oct 11, 2017 ]

You can't play a CD directly on this player. However, if you mean playing a music file burned off a CD, it will not show the CD cover when you're playing the file. I've had to make sure that there are picture files of the CD cover in the same directory where the music files are residing. Then the cover will show when you're playing any file in the directory.
[ Antonio Oct 11, 2017 ]

Unfortunately it will not display cover art directly from a cd player but it will from streaming Itunes or if you copy the music from a cd to a flash card or a storage drive like an external hard drive and copy and paste the cover from the internet or any picture into the same folder it will appear when playing something from that folder. just plug the external drive to the usb. and it reads JPEG I think . also streaming services like pandora show the cover art
[ michael Oct 10, 2017 ]

Only if the metadata is contained in what is sent from the CD.
You can go to Cambridge Audio site foe additional technical details.
[ Lee Oct 10, 2017 ]

No you cannot browse through Spotify with the 851N, you still need phone/tablet or computer. The good thing is that you can use them as a remote control through the Cambridge audio app
[ Alexander Dec 14, 2016 ]

The 851N and the device running the Spotify app should be on the same network. Alternatively, you can save a Spotify Playlist as a preset on the 851N. Once a playlist is playing on the 851N, use the front panel interface and select [Set Preset]. Choose the preset station you want to assign the playlist.
[ Antonio Dec 13, 2016 ]

Yes, Spotify is native to the 851N, you can select the player in the Spotify APP when using a PC, MAC, tablet or Phone.
[ Vinit Dec 13, 2016 ]